Several media outlets today jumped on a gossip item regarding Katy Perry and Tim Tebow reportedly being set up on a date by her preacher father. Any truth? Who knows? OK! Magazine first reported “the newly single pop star’s parents are trying to orchestrate a meeting between her and the Broncos quarterback at their California church.” An ABC News blog picked up the item, along with the New York Post and others. We’re not confirming anything, just noting the frenzy. Mea culpa.

The public’s fascination with such gossip drives “hits.” These days, the media are desperate for “hits,” or page views; celebrities attract page views, Tebow especially gets hits in Colorado, and the push is on to feature his boldface name in order to get more and more hits. It’s all about the SEO, or search engine optimization, which steers readers to popular topics. Did we mention Tebow, Tebow, Tebow, Denver Broncos, Denver Broncos, Denver Broncos?

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.